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This Week's Dog-Centric News and Tips are in: 

• How to Teach Your Dog Not to Bark at Strangers

• Jealousy in Dogs: What You Need to Know as a Pet Parent

• Thread: Anxiety / reactivity. Advice needed!

• Video: This dog knows how to get out of trouble

Bark Bulletin of the Week

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DOG STORIES

Zoo in China Caught Passing Off Painted Dogs as Pandas

The Shanwei Zoo in China recently faced public outrage after visitors discovered their "pandas" were actually painted dogs.

The deception was revealed when one of the animals started panting and barking. Video evidence showed two Chow Chows painted black and white to resemble pandas.

Initially, the zoo claimed these were "panda dogs," but later admitted to painting Chow Chows. Visitors demanded refunds, but the zoo denied intentional deception, stating they never explicitly claimed the dogs were pandas.

This isn't an isolated incident. Taizhou Zoo faced similar accusations months earlier, openly admitting to dyeing dogs due to a lack of real pandas. They defended their actions, claiming natural dyes are safe for long-haired dogs.

These events have sparked debates about zoo ethics and animal welfare. While zoos argue they're providing a panda-like experience, critics condemn the practice as deceptive and potentially harmful to the animals.

DOG BEHAVIOUR

How to Teach Your Dog Not to Bark at Strangers

Excessive barking at strangers can be an embarrassing and frustrating behavior in dogs.

Understanding the reasons behind this behavior and implementing proper training techniques can help resolve this issue.

Why Dogs Bark at Strangers

Dogs may bark at strangers for several reasons:

1. Territorial behavior: Protecting their home and humans

2. Excitement: Overwhelming joy at seeing a new face

3. Lack of socialization: Unfamiliarity with new people

4. Fear: Anxiety towards the unknown

Training Methods to Stop Barking at Strangers

Here are four effective techniques to teach your dog not to bark at strangers:

1. Ignoring the Bad Behavior

   • Enlist a friend to act as a stranger

   • Have the "stranger" ignore the dog when it barks or jumps

   • Reward the dog with a treat when it settles down

   • Gradually increase rewards for respectful greetings

2. Walk Away Method

   • Turn and walk in the opposite direction when your dog barks at an approaching stranger

   • This shows that barking doesn't result in engagement

   • Offer a treat when the dog stops barking

   • Repeat until the dog learns that calm behavior is rewarded

3. Distraction Method

   • Use noise (keys jangling, snapping, clicker) to distract the dog from barking

   • Once the dog's attention is gained, instruct it to sit and remain calm

   • Reward with a treat for successful distraction and calm behavior

4. Sitting Down & Remaining Calm

   • Teach the dog to sit politely when greeting strangers

   • Have a stranger approach while you instruct the dog to sit

   • Reward with a treat if the dog remains calm and seated

   • Correct and withhold reward if the dog doesn't comply

   • Practice with informed strangers to follow the dog's learning pace

Remember, like any training, teaching your dog to be calm around strangers takes time and consistency. With patience and practice, your dog can learn to greet new people respectfully.

Source: SitStay

Playful Picks

DOG BEHAVIOUR

Jealousy in Dogs: What You Need to Know as a Pet Parent

Dog owners have long observed behaviors in their pets that seem to indicate jealousy. A 2014 study by researchers Dr. Caroline Prouvost and Dr. Christine Harris at the University of California, San Diego, set out to scientifically investigate whether dogs indeed experience this complex emotion.

Background

Jealousy has long been considered a complex emotion requiring sophisticated cognition. While dog trainers have used jealousy as a motivational tool, the scientific community has debated whether dogs can truly experience this emotion. The study aimed to address this question using empirical methods.

Study Methodology

The researchers adapted a test originally designed for 6-month-old infants to assess jealousy in dogs. Here's how they conducted the study:

• Participants: 36 dogs, all under 35 pounds or shorter than 15 inches

• Location: In the dogs' homes

• Equipment: A stuffed dog that could bark and wag its tail, a jack-o-lantern pail, and a pop-up book that played melodies

• Procedure: Owners were instructed to interact with these objects while ignoring their dogs

Key aspects of the methodology:

• Dog owners were kept unaware of the study's purpose to avoid influencing their pets' reactions

• All interactions were videotaped for later analysis

• Two independent researchers rated the videos for various behaviors associated with jealousy

Observed Behaviors

The researchers coded for several behaviors, including:

1. Aggression:

   • Snapping or biting at the rival object

   • Lip curling

   • High-tail holding with ears forward

2. Attention-seeking behaviors:

   • Pushing against the owner

   • Trying to get between the owner and the object

   • Pushing against the object

3. Interest/Attention:

   • Watching the owner or the rival object

   • Turning away from the rival

4. Post-interaction behaviors:

   • Following the owner

   • Observing or ignoring the object

Key Findings

The study revealed several interesting findings:

1. 25% of the dogs snapped at the stuffed dog during the interaction

2. 36% showed aggression towards the stuffed dog after the interaction

3. 86% of dogs sniffed the stuffed dog's hindquarters, suggesting they perceived it as a real dog

4. Dogs displayed more jealous behaviors towards the stuffed dog than towards other objects

5. 61.9% of dogs pushed against their owners when they interacted with the stuffed dog

6. 57.1% pushed against the stuffed dog itself

The researchers noted that these behaviors closely mirrored jealous behaviors observed in humans, particularly the tendency to get between the owner and the perceived rival.

Implications and Interpretations

The study's findings suggest that dogs do experience a form of jealousy, particularly when their owners give attention to potential rivals. The researchers proposed several explanations for this behavior:

1. Domestication: The close bond between humans and dogs may have led to the development of more complex emotions in canines.

2. Gaze tracking: Dogs' ability to follow human gaze may contribute to their awareness of where their owner's attention is directed.

3. Survival instinct: Jealousy might have evolved as a mechanism to secure resources and attention within a social group.

Considerations for Pet Parents

Understanding that dogs can experience jealousy has important implications for pet owners:

1. Multi-pet households: Be aware of potential jealousy issues when introducing new pets or giving attention to one pet over others.

2. New family members: Dogs may exhibit jealous behaviors when a new baby or partner is introduced to the household.

3. Training opportunities: Recognizing jealous behaviors can help owners address and redirect them through positive reinforcement techniques.

4. Emotional well-being: Ensuring each pet receives adequate attention and resources can help minimize jealousy-related issues.

Conclusion

This study provides compelling evidence that dogs experience a form of jealousy, challenging previous notions about the complexity of canine emotions.

As a pet parent, being aware of these behaviors can help you better understand your dog's emotional needs and manage situations that might trigger jealousy.

By recognizing and addressing these feelings, you can maintain a harmonious household and strengthen the bond with your furry companion.

Remember, every dog is unique, and jealous behaviors may manifest differently in individual pets. Observing your dog's reactions in various situations and responding with patience and understanding will go a long way in ensuring your pet's emotional well-being.

Source: SitStay

Quiz Answers

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